I remember my first day moving into the dorms at BYU. A little flower cutout was posted on my door with the words, “Go beyond yourself and you will grow.” It was a welcome note from the Bishop’s wife of my ward. I still have it, and it serves a meaningful purpose for my life.
Tonight as I reflected on how hard of a week this was for me, I was reminded of that little phrase. These past few months, and the next few months to follow, consisted of moments where I’ve pushed myself beyond my comforts.
I worked two jobs and went to school full time.
I decided to run a half marathon.
I’ve ran more miles during training than I ever have in my life.
And recently, I decided to take a News Reporting class.
This last one has definitely placed me out of my comfort zone, and pushed me to do things that aren’t “me.” But it’s helped me in so, so many ways. This week, it’s especially taught me how to listen to people who are experiencing hard things.
I’m currently writing an article about relief efforts in the South. I’ve talked to people living there, people who are volunteering to help with relief efforts and people whose families were affected by the recent outbreak of violent tornados.
My heart reaches out to them, I want to be there...helping, working, listening, and comforting. Talking to these amazing people, it reminded me when an outbreak of violent tornados hit Oklahoma on May 3, 1999. My family wasn’t directly affected, but I knew people who were. I remember the heartache and sorrow, but more importantly I remember that people from all over the country came to help clean up. I remember the immense feeling of gratitude our community felt for these people.
So, my heart and mind have been with these people in the South. My conversations have been with folks from rural areas that were struck pretty bad. Often we don’t here about these areas, they get swept to the side by the media. I wanted to change that, so I’m writing an article about them. The efforts going on in their community, and how they are coping. Let me share with you some of the things they’ve said.
“To have your childhood, your hometown wiped away is something that cannot be understood until it has happened to you. I have realized that this has affected me more than I would have expected, but I have also realized that in times of crisis, people ban together as a community and I am so very proud of my hometown for coming together to help. I am proud of Ringgold and although she has been through the ringer, she'll come out on top.”
“Tuscaloosa and the state of Alabama are really hurting right now. The devastation throughout the state is unbelievable. I just in the last few days saw some of the damage in Tuscaloosa as a few roads are beginning to open. Where once stood neighborhoods, it now looks like a trash landfield. And that's before the cleanup. I don't know how we avoided more deaths. People literally crawled out of the debris.”
I’m praying for these fine folks...they need all the comfort and help they can get. And I hope that you'll take some time to pray for them as well.
I’ll soon be sharing more about my experiences of “going beyond myself”... there’s been a few this week that have touched my little heart.
Tonight as I reflected on how hard of a week this was for me, I was reminded of that little phrase. These past few months, and the next few months to follow, consisted of moments where I’ve pushed myself beyond my comforts.
I worked two jobs and went to school full time.
I decided to run a half marathon.
I’ve ran more miles during training than I ever have in my life.
And recently, I decided to take a News Reporting class.
This last one has definitely placed me out of my comfort zone, and pushed me to do things that aren’t “me.” But it’s helped me in so, so many ways. This week, it’s especially taught me how to listen to people who are experiencing hard things.
I’m currently writing an article about relief efforts in the South. I’ve talked to people living there, people who are volunteering to help with relief efforts and people whose families were affected by the recent outbreak of violent tornados.
My heart reaches out to them, I want to be there...helping, working, listening, and comforting. Talking to these amazing people, it reminded me when an outbreak of violent tornados hit Oklahoma on May 3, 1999. My family wasn’t directly affected, but I knew people who were. I remember the heartache and sorrow, but more importantly I remember that people from all over the country came to help clean up. I remember the immense feeling of gratitude our community felt for these people.
So, my heart and mind have been with these people in the South. My conversations have been with folks from rural areas that were struck pretty bad. Often we don’t here about these areas, they get swept to the side by the media. I wanted to change that, so I’m writing an article about them. The efforts going on in their community, and how they are coping. Let me share with you some of the things they’ve said.
“To have your childhood, your hometown wiped away is something that cannot be understood until it has happened to you. I have realized that this has affected me more than I would have expected, but I have also realized that in times of crisis, people ban together as a community and I am so very proud of my hometown for coming together to help. I am proud of Ringgold and although she has been through the ringer, she'll come out on top.”
“Tuscaloosa and the state of Alabama are really hurting right now. The devastation throughout the state is unbelievable. I just in the last few days saw some of the damage in Tuscaloosa as a few roads are beginning to open. Where once stood neighborhoods, it now looks like a trash landfield. And that's before the cleanup. I don't know how we avoided more deaths. People literally crawled out of the debris.”
I’m praying for these fine folks...they need all the comfort and help they can get. And I hope that you'll take some time to pray for them as well.
I’ll soon be sharing more about my experiences of “going beyond myself”... there’s been a few this week that have touched my little heart.
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